South Africa
New South African president supports pan-African currency
Cyril Ramaphosa says it is time Africa abandons “colonial mentality” and adopts common currency to foster investment and intra-African trade
ECB sets up co-operation programme with South African central bank
MoU is sixth high-level technical agreement with G20 central bank
Sarb launches its first app-based quarterly bulletin
User feedback reveals current format is cumbersome and “static”; central bank partners with external firm to create new app
ANC shelves Sarb nationalisation plan
South African Reserve Bank safe from ownership restructuring for now, as ruling party takes time to consult with other members of the ANC and “key stakeholders”
Financial regulation powers pose new threats to central banks – Kganyago
Emerging markets are better equipped to deal with capital flows, Sarb governor says
Central bankers must leave their ‘ivory towers’ – South African governor
Popular support is needed, says Central Banking’s governor of the year
The winners of the 2018 Central Banking Awards
Bank of Canada wins Central Bank of the Year, Lesetja Kganyago picks up Governor of the Year and Perng Fai-nan receives Lifetime Achievement Award; 16 more awards unveiled
Sarb triumphs over public protector in latest ruling
Mkhwebane ordered to pay opponents’ legal costs as judge rules investigation was “unacceptable”; Absa Bank vindicated in latest ruling
Sarb unveils new fintech push
South Africa’s central bank to investigate DLT usage for clearing and settlement; fintech roadmap will examine crypto regulation
Sarb comes to defence of Capitec after ‘loan shark’ claim
US research firm takes aim at South African lender, accusing the bank of “reckless lending practices”, but central bank maintains it is “well capitalised”
Governor of the year: Lesetja Kganyago
Kganyago has defended and enhanced the Sarb’s reputation as an independent and well-governed institution against all threats – despite a turbulent political and economic backdrop
Co-operation key to cyber defence success, says Sarb deputy
Groepe says institutions need to ensure fintech interconnectivity does not cause system failure; new players should be held to the same security standards
South Africa needs to press ‘reset button’ in 2018 – Mminele
Economy floundered after political instability harmed investor confidence; South Africa should capitalise on the upswing of 2018, says Sarb deputy
Payments and market infrastructure provider of the year: Perago
The software company is helping central banks around the world implement reliable and highly adaptable RTGS and retail payments systems
People: PBoC deputy appointed vice-mayor of Beijing
First woman nominated as deputy governor at the Bank of Mexico; Kganyago bags IMF job; Sarb gets new MPC member
ECB dumps Steinhoff stock
Losses on holding in scandal-hit retailer may have been approximately €50 million
Sarb rejects nationalisation plan
Sarb says nationalising the central bank would increase uncertainty in an already “fragile economic situation”
Sarb closes branches to optimise cash management
Inefficiencies prompt central bank to close three of its branches, while remaining three are ‘converted’ into cash centres
Sarb rejects postponement calls from public prosecutor
Central bank does not accept Mkhwebane’s latest court request; claims her reasoning is false and “overly exaggerated”
Confidence key for South Africa’s economic recovery – Kganyago
Consumer confidence has been “sapped”, but governor remains optimistic nation can “turn things around” by implementing investor-friendly policies
Too soon to start celebrating economic improvements, says Mminele
Sarb deputy warns against complacency in latest economic roundup, saying it is too soon to start celebrating lower inflation and a more stable external environment
Rand still at risk despite recovery – Mminele
Sarb deputy warns against complacency as risks to exchange rate linger on the horizon; both internal and external threats remain
Sarb concerned with KPMG audits in South Africa
Auditor reshuffles local leadership and carries out investigation, but may lose major clients
Sarb returns to court amid secret meeting claims
New court documents allege South Africa’s public protector might have had “ulterior purpose”; secret meeting with presidency revealed